Bike week is the largest cycling festival in Queensland and has been held every year since the early 1990’s. It features over 20 free events, both on and off the bike, and aims to encourage people of all ages, sizes and cycling abilities to take up cycling.

Kicking off this Saturday 26th April, the week will be packed with all sorts of events including Ride to Work Day on Thursday 1st May, and ending with the BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge on Sunday 4th May. Bike Week offers something for everyone, so make sure you have some fun and get involved! For more information visit: http://bikeweek.bq.org.au/

On Monday 7th April 2014, the Queensland Government introduced new rules in order to improve interactions between motorists and cyclists and to improve the safety of cyclists on the road. The law now states that motorists must give cyclists a minimum of 1 metre wide when passing in a 60km/hr or less speed zone, and 1.5 metres where the speed limit is over 60km/hr. Motorists will be allowed to cross centre lines (including double unbroken centre lines), straddle lane-lines and drive on painted islands to pass cyclists, provided the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and it is safe to do so. Applying common sense and obeying the rules are the main things to remember. Always check your surroundings and the cars around you; if it is safe to do so, indicate and pass the cyclist at the minimum passing distance; if it is not, slow down and wait until it is safe to pass.

The rule applies to all types of vehicles including cars, motorbikes, heavy vehicles and public transport vehicles, and applies whenever a motorist is passing a cyclist who is travelling in the same direction. The minimum passing distance applies to motorists passing a cyclist, not cyclists passing motorists, and any motorists who breaks the rule will receive three demerit points and a fine of $330.

To encourage safer behaviour on the roads, cyclists who break the road rules will have to pay the same fines as motorists. Common offences include:

Failing to stop at a red traffic light – $330

Disobeying a ‘No U-turn’ sign at an intersection – $88

Failing to stop at a ‘Stop’ sign at an intersection – $330

Exceeding the speed limit by less than 13km/h – $146

Fines will also be increased for rules that are specific to cyclists. Common offences include:

Carrying more passengers than a bicycle is designed for – $110

Failing to give way to pedestrians on a footpath or shared path – $110

Failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions – $110